Former OU men's basketball standout Ryan Humphrey joins Sooners as assistant coach
NORMAN — The OU men's basketball team announced the hiring of Ryan Humphrey as an assistant coach on Friday.
Humphrey played for the Sooners from 1997-99 before spending the rest of his college career at Notre Dame. After being selected by the Utah Jazz with the 19th pick in the 2002 NBA Draft, the Tulsa native enjoyed an 11-year professional career in the NBA and various international leagues.
Humphrey spent the last six seasons as an assistant coach at Notre Dame.
"I am excited to have Ryan join our staff and bring him back home to Oklahoma," head coach Porter Moser said in a press release. "His passion for the state of Oklahoma is unmatched. He is a high school legend from Tulsa that reached the highest stage of the NBA.
"He is a high character and energy driven coach... I am looking forward to bringing his passion for the state of Oklahoma and the Sooners back to Norman."
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Humphrey becomes the third and final assistant coach on OU's staff.
The Sooners saw former assistant coaches David Patrick and K.T. Turner leave the program this offseason. Patrick accepted the head coaching gig at Sacramento State on April 5, while Turner joined Kentucky as an assistant coach on May 31.
OU then hired former Maryland assistant coach Matt Brady on June 4. The team's assistant coaching trio now consists of Humphrey, Brady and Emanuel Dildy, who is entering his second season with the program.
"I am excited to come back to the state of Oklahoma, where it all started for me, and join Porter and his staff," Humphrey said. "Twenty-five years ago I had a goal to bring a national championship to the University of Oklahoma, and now everything has come full circle.
"The opportunity to join this staff presented itself and it was too good for me to pass up. I am excited and believe in what Porter and his staff are doing, the goals and standards of excellence. I have unfinished business and am ready to go to work. The future is bright. Boomer Sooner."
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Justin Martinez can be reached at jmartinez@oklahoman.com or @JTheSportsDude on Twitter. Make sure to subscribe to The Oklahoman to stay up to date with all local sports.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU men's basketball: Ryan Humphrey returns as Sooners' assistant coach
